THIS FAMILY HAS RESPONSIBILITIES

In 2010, there was a family crusade for two weeks in Jack Pidik

Park in Port Moresby conducted by the Seventh Day Adventist

with main speaker Pr Simon Vetali.

It was an amazing crusade with speakers focusing on aspects

of family living from peace, happiness, love, children, hygiene,

marriage, non-violence, rights & responsibilities, faith, faithfulness,

disease control and care for disabled family.

Most memorable event was the family that came up on the stage

to speak. There was a husband and wife with 9 children. Each

spoke in turn about their responsibilities.

The husband/father spoke of earning a wage for the family, keeping

the family happy and healthy in body, mind and soul.

The wife/mother spoke of looking after the family and keeping the

home in order. She did not work in a job but could have done so

if she did not have household duties.

The eldest son was 17 years old and spoke of his study and duties

at home that included helping his mother and father and looking after

the younger children. He cut the firewood and helped with shopping.

He was learning to repair the car.

The eldest daughters were 16 & 15 years old. They spoke of their basic

responsibilities to study and look after the house. They cooked, washed

the clothes and kept the house clean.

The younger sons and daughters came home from school and played.

They had something to eat and homework. They washed their uniforms

and helped their sisters with the work. They helped their mother with

the small sisters and brothers.

Not one spoke of rights. Did they not have rights? Their rights were so

normal and natural that they did not have to speak of rights. So they just

talked about their responsibilities.

They have the right to be safe. And they are safe. They have the right to

good food. And they get good food. They have the right to feel loved.

And they are loved. They have the right to play. And they do play.

They have the right to be at peace. And they are at peace. They have

the right to express an opinion. Within reason, they have that right. They

have the right to education. And they go to school.

The wife had the right to be respected. And she was. The husband had

the right to be loved. And he was loved. This family took their rights for

granted. So they spoke only of responsibilities.

There are overseas advisors who speak only of rights.They may tell these

boys and girls that they have the right to smoke, go to discos, stay out at

night, not go to church with the right of association.

Let them go to America and tell young  people they have rights to associate

with extremists. Or tell the Courts that people have the right to consort with

criminals. Tell young underage children they have the right to associate with

paedophiles. Tell Moslem women they have the right to associate with men

outside their family.

Overseas advisors have the responsibility to help strengthen families. They
have no right to spoil families.